The injury bug has bitten Kris Letang once again.

The Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 24 with a lower-body injury Thursday, the team announced.

Letang missed Wednesday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and won't be eligible to return to the lineup until Dec. 31, meaning he will also miss Friday night's contest against the Carolina Hurricanes.

In addition to Letang, the Penguins also placed forwards Bryan Rust and Chad Ruhwedel on injured reserve.

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